Who Should the Carolina Panthers Target in Free Agency?
The Carolina Panthers are entering the 2026 offseason with $28 million in cap space. Carolina is a well-constructed team that is a couple of key pieces away from being a championship contender. The Panthers also have the 19th pick in the upcoming draft in April. Depending on free agent signings, Carolina has a lot of fluidity heading into the draft. Ideally, a high-end linebacker or edge rusher will fall to the 19th pick, but taking the best player available is never a bad choice.
Receivers
The receiver free agency market isn’ the hottest this year, but there are a couple of gems that would complement the Panthers offense nicely. Generally, franchise receivers don’t often hit free agency. Romeo Doubs is the first name that catches my eye. Doubs was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 2022 and has had an above-average career so far. He has yet to reach the 1,000-yard receiving mark. To the 25-year-old’s benefit, the Packers have had a very competitive receiving room. The room has a committee approach, pushing Doubs into competition for targets. Green Bay’s wide receiver is coming off his best season as a pro with 55 receptions, 724 receiving yards, and six touchdowns. Doubs would fill a big role, being able to work the middle of the field, allowing for the offense to stretch the field vertically. The biggest knock on the 25-year-old has been his tendency to drop balls.
The second choice for the Panthers is Wan’Dale Robinson. Also from the 2022 draft class, the New York Giants selected Robinson in the second round. He started his career with some big injuries, including an ACL tear. Despite the injuries, the 25-year-old is coming off the best season of his career, with his first 1,000-yard season. He finished 2025 with 92 receptions, 1,014 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. It’s hard to see the Giants not trying to retain him, as he builds chemistry with a young team. The Giants receiver is a fast, shifty receiver who would bring a much-needed burst of speed to the Panthers offense.
Breece Hall
Breece Hall was a highly touted prospect who fell in the draft due to injury history. The New York Jets took Hall in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The 24-year-old had a season-ending injury in his rookie season, but he has bounced back to elite play. Being the lone bright spot on a historically bad Jets team, Hall finished 2025 with his first 1,000-yard rushing season with 1,065 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The Jets’ running back would add important spark from the backfield that was absent from the Panthers' offense in the back half of the season. Hall will be a hot commodity on the market, and the Panthers still have some gas left in the running back room. Whether or not the Panthers pursue him, he has shown his worth as a running back.
Defense
Realistically, the available defensive players are beyond the Panthers' budget. The 2026 free agency class is deep in defensive backs. Carolina has a solid secondary and has some good young players who will continue to grow with the team. The best linebackers and edge rushers are already locked up long-term or are in position to demand huge contracts. Yet, the best bet here is to prioritize linebackers and edge rushers in the draft. I wouldn’t be opposed to drafting a tight end in the draft, but there are plenty of obtainable names in free agency.
